WHAT THE KINGDOM IS, AND IS NOT

Romans 14:17

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Our discussion centers upon “the kingdom of God” (Rom. 14:17).

 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

B.     Sadly, the denominational world does not comprehend the true nature of the kingdom of God.

1.       They believe it is distinct from the church (Matt. 16:18-19).

2.       They believe it is physical in nature (John 18:36).

3.       They believe it has not been established, but that it will be in the future (Col. 1:13).

 

C.      The kingdom of God is simply a figure that helps man to understand the church for which Jesus died.

1.       In other words, the church and the kingdom are the same institution.

2.       The kingdom looks at the church as a “nation” of people.

a.       1 Peter 2:9

 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

 

b.      The church is the spiritual equivalent of the physical nation of Israel.

c.       It is composed of three basic elements:

1)      A king, Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 6:15)

2)      A law, the New Testament (James 1:25)

3)      Citizens (Eph. 2:19; Phil. 3:20)

 

D.     This nation is designed to unite men and women from all races, cultures, tribes, races, and languages.

1.       One of the great divides in the first century was between the Jews and Gentiles.

a.       There was no fellowship between the groups.

b.      There was a deep hatred of one another in the hearts of some on both sides.

c.       The practices of the cultures were quite different from one another.

2.       The church was designed to bring them together in one body, the church, or, in one nation, the kingdom of God.

a.       Ephesians 2:14

 

For he (Jesus) is our peace, who have made both (Jew & Gentile) one (in the church).

 

b.      Ephesians 2:16

 

And that he might reconcile (make friendly) both (Jew & Gentile) in one body (the church) by the cross, having slain the enmity (the Law of Moses) thereby.

 

c.       Ephesians 2:19

 

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God.

 

E.     When the Jews and Gentiles were brought together, there was not a perfect blending that immediately took place. 

1.       There were bumps in the road that had to be smoothed out.

a.       Circumcision

b.      Clean and unclean distinctions, especially regarding food

c.       Meat that was sold in the marketplace that had been offered to idols

d.      The observance of days

2.       These individuals had been involved in their previous cultures and religion for hundreds and hundreds of years.  It was not easy to solve their differences and unite in Christ.

3.       Fortunately, the New Testament tells us about some of these problems and how they should be handled.  Romans 14:17 is one verse in a discussion of one of these problems.

 

I.                   THE CONTEXT

 

A.     It is easy to pull passages out of their contexts and make them teach things they were never intended to teach (Ex., 1 Cor. 2:9).

 

B.     The context for Romans 14:17 goes back to Romans 14:1.  The discussion continues through the end of the chapter.

 

i.                    THE CONTROVERSY (Rom. 14:1-3)

 

The controversy involved the eating of meats.  Fourteen (14) times Paul uses the word “eat” or “eateth.”  Four (4) times he uses the word “meat.”  According to verse 14, the issue surrounded clean and unclean meats.  Some would eat “unclean” meats.  Some refused to eat those meats.  “For one believeth that he may eat all things:  another, who is weak, eateth herbs” (v. 2).

 

ii.                  THE CONSIDERATIONS (Rom. 14:4-13)

 

In this section, Paul considers several things.  The main consideration involved their judging one another over this issue. In verse 4, he asks:  “Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant?...”  Then in verse 13, he concludes with these words:  “Let us not therefore judge one another any more.”  The reason their judging was wrong was because the issue was a matter liberty or option. 

 

iii.                THE COMMANDS (Rom. 14:14-19)

 

Paul issues several commands to the church in the third section.  “Destroy him not with thy meat…” (v. 15).  “Let not your good be evil spoken of” (v. 16).  “Let us follow after the things which make for peace…” (v. 19).  It is in this section that we find our verse.  “For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost” (v. 17).

 

iv.                THE CONSCIENCE (Rom. 14:20-23)

 

In the final section, Paul discusses the conscience and causing one’s brother to stumble.  If an act violates a person’s conscience, a stronger person should not try to coerce the individual into violating his conscience.  That puts a stumbling block before him.  “And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith:  for whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (v. 23).

 

II.                 THE COMMENTARY

 

A.      Our passage of study falls in the third section of the chapter, The Commands (Rom. 14:14-19).

 

B.       Under the New Testament, there were no distinctions between clean and unclean meats (1 Tim. 4:3-4).

 

Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.  For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:  for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

 

1.        Since this true, it was good to eat meat.

2.       But notice what Paul says in Romans 14:16.

 

Let not then your good be evil spoken of.

 

3.       Eating meat could destroy a brother in Christ (Rom. 14:15). 

4.       Question:  What good is good if it brings harm?

5.       One might respond:  “But there is nothing wrong with eating meat.”

 

C.      That led to Paul’s response in Romans 14:17.

 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

 

1.        Meat and drink were matters of liberty or option. 

a.       The kingdom of God was not founded upon the “take it or leave it” things.

b.       If everyone ate meat, the kingdom would be strong and healthy.

c.       If everyone refused to eat meat, the kingdom would be strong and healthy.

2.       There were spiritual matters that were much more important in the kingdom.

a.       Righteousness

1)       The word “righteousness” contains the root word “right.”

2)      Righteousness involves “doing what is right.”

3)      Psalm 119:172 reveals that God commands are righteousness.

a.       God did not command us to eat meat.

b.       God did not command us to refrain from meat.

c.       However, he did command us to love our brethren, to practice forbearance, and in honor to prefer one another.

b.       Peace

1)       Peace is the absence of strife and turmoil and bickering.

2)      The kingdom was not designed to bring warfare between individuals. 

a)      “For he is our peace…” (Eph. 2:14).

b)      Galatians 5:15

 

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.

 

3)      It would be better to leave off meat and have peace than to eat meat, which is lawful, and have strife.

c.       Joy

1)       Joy is an internal emotion that results from the presence of peace.

2)      It is that feeling of security knowing that all is well.

3)      It, along with peace, is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23).

 

III.               THE APPLICATION

 

A.      There are matters of option and liberty found in the church today.

1.        The use of sound versions of the Bible

2.       Building a fellowship hall with church funds

3.       The celebration of Christmas and Easter in one’s personal life

4.       How to dress for worship and Bible study

5.       Women wearing head coverings

6.       The indwelling of the Holy Spirit:  personal versus representatively through the Word

7.       The date of the book of Revelation

 

B.       Major points of consideration:

1.        We should not despise one another, judge one another, and divide over these issues (Rom. 14:2).

2.       It is possible for two beliefs or practices to exist at the same time (Rom. 14:5-6).

3.       Our beliefs and actions can and do have a tremendous impact on others (Rom. 14:7).

4.       We should leave the judging of these matters to God (Rom. 14:10-12).

5.       We should not be a stumbling block to our brethren (Rom. 14:13, 21).

6.       There needs to be constant teaching and discussion of the issues (Rom. 14:14, 20).

7.       Love needs to be involved in our discussions and practices (Rom. 14:15).

8.       Will we destroy a brother over liberty? (Rom. 14:15).

9.       A person can be absolutely right and still cause harm to his brother (Rom. 14:16).

10.    We should follow the things which make for peace (Rom. 14:19).

11.      It is good to withdraw our right from the discussion (Rom. 14:21).

12.     There are some issues that we can hold between us and God (Rom. 14:22).

13.     Do not ever engage in an optional matter if it involves doing it without faith (Rom. 14:23).

 

C.      We must remember what the kingdom is all about, and focus on those issues:  righteousness, peace, and joy.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     Had Paul not addressed this issue, the local church at Rome could have divided.

1.        One group would have been the meat eaters.

2.       The other group would have been the herb eaters.

 

B.      Souls could have been lost in the process.

1.        Some on both sides could have left the church.

2.       Some could have violated their consciences to please others and to fit in.

 

C.     The influence of the church in the community could have been lessened by the strife and division.

 

D.     NOTE:  Those on both sides of these issues needed to heed Paul’s words in these matters. 

1.        Charity should be practiced.

2.       The kingdom should be our main concern.